North Korea Will Not Give Up Its Nuclear Arsenal As Long As The Kim Family Rules The Country

North Korea launches a new kind of intercontinental ballistic missile that is thought to be able to reach the U.S. mainland, on July 4. (Korean Central News Agency/Kyodo)

John Power, South China Morning Post: If America and its allies believe Kim Jong-un will give up his nuclear arsenal, they are deluded

John Power says Pyongyang under the Kim family sees its weapons as a security guarantee and powerful negotiating tool, and the only way it will disarm is through a change of leadership.

Much is made of the extraordinary lengths that North Korea goes to, to control the minds of its people – propagandised into the worship of the Kim family from almost their moment of birth.

Many of us see North Koreans as pitiful victims of state-level brainwashing. Less often do we reflect on how such a decrepit regime can so easily foment delusion among the supposedly free-thinking ranks of those concerned with North Korea policy.

“Delusion” is the only word to describe the fantastical yet persistent idea that North Korea will ever voluntarily give up its nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. Expecting as much from the regime is as realistic as coaxing a tiger into giving up its prey. Pyongyang has been on the path to nuclear armament since the 1950s and it isn’t about to change course now.

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WNU Editor: Sadly .... the above commentator (John Power) is probably correct in his analysis. But what is even (to me) of greater concern is that North Korea has changed the geopolitical balance in the region by developing nuclear delivery systems that threaten the U.S. .... this is new, and it changes the dynamics in the region completely. Unfortunately .... China and Russia are still working on the past template of the Cold War conflict .... and are using North Korea to exert their influence to influence U.S. allies in the region .... China, Russia, North Korea testing Japan's composure (Nikkei Asian Review).  This is playing with "fire" .... but for the moment the perception (from my point of view) is that it is working .... South Korea seeks rare talks with North to ease military tensions (The Guardian).